
Secret Garden Bar & Lounge
Quick info
About Secret Garden Bar & Lounge
On Braunstone Gate in Leicester, Secret Garden Bar & Lounge is an Italian restaurant with a bar attached. Bright pink decor runs throughout the space, giving the dining room and bar area a consistent look from front to back. The kitchen serves Italian dishes alongside a drinks list at the bar. Guests can settle in at the bar or take a table in the dining room. The combination of restaurant and lounge gives the venue two distinct areas under one roof, with the pink decor carrying through both.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking · Paid street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: restroom, seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken alfredo without pasta, cocktails, bruschetta and double debit card charges.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken alfredo without pasta, cocktails, bruschetta and double debit card charges.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often single out the food quality, with several praising dishes described as beautifully presented and full of flavour, and the general manager repeatedly credited by name for keeping service running smoothly under pressure. Specific mentions include the bruschetta, solid pasta mains, cocktails "going down smoothly," and a birthday celebration that reviewers say exceeded expectations. Close behind, several note the atmosphere, calling it welcoming and peaceful, though one reviewer found the pink decor not to their taste and suggested it felt more like a bar than a full restaurant. A recurring caveat comes from a Valentine's Day visit, where a diner describes being seated with strangers, a near hour-long wait for starters, repeated order mix-ups, and a mismatched dessert. Separately, one reviewer reports being charged twice on their debit card for differing amounts minutes apart and says their bank is investigating. Despite this, most reviewers say they would return, with one recommending the venue for private events and birthdays.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often single out the food quality, with several praising dishes described as beautifully presented and full of flavour, and the general manager repeatedly credited by name for keeping service running smoothly under pressure. Specific mentions include the bruschetta, solid pasta mains, cocktails "going down smoothly," and a birthday celebration that reviewers say exceeded expectations. Close behind, several note the atmosphere, calling it welcoming and peaceful, though one reviewer found the pink decor not to their taste and suggested it felt more like a bar than a full restaurant. A recurring caveat comes from a Valentine's Day visit, where a diner describes being seated with strangers, a near hour-long wait for starters, repeated order mix-ups, and a mismatched dessert. Separately, one reviewer reports being charged twice on their debit card for differing amounts minutes apart and says their bank is investigating. Despite this, most reviewers say they would return, with one recommending the venue for private events and birthdays.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“I celebrated my 21st birthday at Secret Gardens, and all I can say is wow! Everything was 10/10t the staff, the food, the atmosphere, and the overall experience exceeded my expectations. The team was so welcoming, accommodating, and attentive from start to finish, making sure everything ran smoothly. They truly made my birthday feel so special. I couldn’t recommend Secret Gardens enough for birthdays, private events, or any special occasion. I’ll definitely be hosting another event there in the future. A special shoutout to Wiktor for all your help and for making everything come together perfectly. Thank you so much!”
- Google user
“Viktor was amazing, so personable and friendly. And the cocktails went down smoothly, would definitely recommend Secret Garden”
- Google user
“We had a wonderful experience at Secret Garden! The atmosphere was beautiful, peaceful, and very welcoming. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made us feel comfortable from the moment we arrived. Everything was clean, well organized, and thoughtfully prepared. I would definitely recommend Secret Garden to anyone looking for a relaxing and enjoyable experience. We will happily come back!”
- Google user
“I've only been to this place once and I'll never go back. What I got the next day was horrible. They charged my debit card for two transactions, one for £90 and the other for £70. Haven't I ordered something like this before? I suspect they steal money this way. What the heck, the one I ordered cost £160??? Be careful with those people I also spoke to my bank and they traced both transactions. Both were made 2 minutes apart which is very suspicious.”
- Google user
“Appalling hospitality I’m writing this as someone with management experience in this sector, therefore it takes a lot for me to make a complaint as I realise mistakes happen, however the service on Valentine’s Day just was unacceptable. We had booked a table for 2 at 7pm and been told prior to booking that slots are 90 minutes. Once we had arrived (right at 7pm), we were greeted by a lovely gentlemen member of staff who passed us onto a lady who proceeded to tell us there were no tables and that we would have to be sat with another couple?! On Valentine’s Day!! With no other solution offered (eg, waiting for another table to become available) We were then sat with another couple on the SAME TABLE, which was extremely awkward and unenjoyable. My partner then told the waitress that we would wait until we can have our own table as we were uncomfortable. We did get sat down relatively quickly to be fair to them. However, it took ages for them to take our order. And then, we did not receive our starters for about an hour. In the meantime 3 waitresses asked us if we were ready to order, when we already had, and EVERY time said that they had not got our order. Whilst we were waiting we saw 3 tables, just nearby us, leave due to the wait and being ignored. Our starters were good. Our mains came. I ordered the beef dish. Which came with a steak, I did not get asked how I wanted my steak done! That’s ridiculous. My partner ordered the chicken dish. It was supposed to be chicken Alfredo, which if you google this dish, it contains pasta, however we cannot remember what the menu said. He did not receive pasta! What he received was a small chicken breast, a pile of lettuce and 9 ridiculously small chips. Some were about 1cm big! For the desserts, my partner was meant to receive a cheesecake on his set menu and me, a chocolate cake. However, we both received a cheesecake, nobody informed me in advance. This can be so extremely dangerous if anyone had an allergen that was not in one dish but is in the other! Complete lack of care. In reality, I was okay with cheesecake but that is most certainly not how you go about that! The cheesecakes were also tiny! At about 8.30pm staff were saying to other couples that they’d ran out of certain dishes. Complete lack of organisation and £100 + 2.5hours wasted on a mediocre meal with extremely poor service! Unfortunately will not be visiting here again, despite looking forward to it and loving the atmosphere!”
Highlights
“The Secret Garden is a luxurious venue for the most prestigious. We will be offering an incredible experience, alongside classic Mediterranean activities like an amazing Bar with authentic drinks.”
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Beer
- Coffee
- Late-night food
- Dining options· 8
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Highlights· 3
- Great cocktails
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Atmosphere· 2
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Parking· 1
- Paid street parking
Location
Italian Restaurants near Secret Garden Bar & Lounge
- Pesto at the White Horse4.52,4704.9 mi
arancini, sticky toffee pudding, tiramisu
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secret Garden Bar & Lounge | 4.1255 | — | chicken alfredo without pasta, cocktails, bruschetta |
| Pesto at the White Horse | 4.52,470 | 4.9 mi | arancini, sticky toffee pudding, tiramisu |
The 1 nearest italian restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.